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Physicians, nurses, and doctors caring for patients are common healthcare workers who come to mind when considering medical professionals. Most of these specialists need basic life support certification as an essential skill. But why is this certificate so important? Which health practitioners must possess this certificate? This blog will scrutinize which healthcare worker must have a BLS certificate and why.

Importance of Basic Life Support Certification For Healthcare Workers

Emergencies are part of life and can happen anywhere. However, a professional healthcare expert must be BLS certified to save a life and respond appropriately.

Immediate Response in Emergencies

BLS-certified healthcare workers could deal with cases like cardiac arrest, severe injuries, or respiratory problems promptly. Since time is of the essence during these situations, being able to perform CPR or apply an AED appropriately is literally a lifesaver.

Confidence in High-Pressure Situations

BLS credential provides essential skills and boosts one’s self-esteem at the same time. For instance, when you have a nurse in an ICU, there is no other way out but to know how to respond quickly. A minute can make a difference between life and death during emergencies, and responding at the right time can save a valuable life.

Healthcare Professional Who Must Have Basic Life Support Certification

Now that we know the importance of having a BLS certification during emergencies let’s scrutinize which healthcare workers must have it.

Doctors And Physicians

It is no surprise that doctors and physicians must have a BLS certificate. In many medical emergencies, they are often in charge and must know about lifesaving techniques.

Nurses

Nurses play a vital role among all personnel providing patient care. They are trained to respond quickly in emergency rooms, ICUs, or nursing homes. Since nurses are usually the first ones to notice signs of distress in a patient, having a BLS certificate is essential for them to save lives.

Paramedics and EMTs

A BLS certificate is a non-negotiable deal for paramedics and EMTs. Their rapid actions help stabilize the patient before reaching the hospital, as they first reach the site of an accident.

Medical Assistants

Clinical procedures are usually the domain of medical assistants; they take vital signs or draw blood. However, with a BLS certificate, medical assistants can work alongside doctors and nurses to save a life in case of an emergency situation.

Dental Hygienists

A dentist and dental hygienist also need a BLS certification, as sometimes, during the procedure, the patient might get a heart issue or choke due to anesthesia.

Pharmacists

Pharmacists rarely engage directly with the patients but encounter several situations where patients collapse on their floor. In such a situation, a pharmacist with BLS certification can provide essential first aid on time.

Physiotherapists

Physiotherapists can help patients gain flexibility and recover from trauma while working with them. Sometimes, during physiotherapy sessions, your patient might suffer from unforeseen accidents. A BLS certificate can come in handy at that time.

Occupational Therapists

An occupational therapist is someone who helps injured people to get back to their normal lives after accidents. Since the patients are already weak and on the road to progress, they might suffer from medical emergencies. In such cases, these therapists can save a life.

Conclusion

For those in healthcare, basic life support certification is an essential credential. It empowers with knowledge on how to respond to heart and respiratory failure cases. Therefore, it is undoubted that with the increasing evolution of the health sector, BLS certification will continue to hold the ground for emergency readiness.

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